its withdrawal from Greece to Yugoslavia with its 350,000 men. A successful conclusion of the retreat would allow the Germans to create a powerful concentration of almost 570,000 men in Yugoslavia that would require the combined actions of the Bulgarian Army, the 3rd Ukrainian Front and the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia in order for it to be defeated. The Bulgarians, placed under the battle order of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, were tasked with advancing in three directions – Sofia to Niš to Pristina, Kyustendil to Skopje, and Blagoevgrad to Veles. The Second Army under Major General Kiril Stanchev was to attack in the first direction and deliver a strike against the Germans. The Nis Operations lasted from 8 to 18 October 1944. The objective of the Second Army was to defeat the forces that were deployed around Niš and thus cut the retreat routes along the river Morava. For the operation the army consisted of eight units – 4th, 6th, 9th and 12th infantry divisions along with the 1st Guards Infantry division, 2nd Cavalry Division, the Armored Brigade and 4th Border Brigade. Only two days after the operation began the Bulgarians penetrated in the Morava valley and on 14 October captured Niš. In the area around the village of Meroshina the Bulgarians defeated the main forces of the 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen allowing the Army to complete its objectives by reaching Podujevo and preparing for further offensive actions. The Kosovo operation was the logical continuation of the Niš operation. It began on 25 October and ended on 30 November. The objective of the Second Army was to seize the Kosovo plain which would mark the end of the first phase of the war against Germany. Despite the 1st Guards Infantry division and the 2nd Cavalry Division being transferred to other areas, the Bulgarians could still count on their numerical superiority, the support of the Soviet Air force and cooperation with the Yugoslav Partisans. The attack began on 25 October with a decisive penetration of the German lines around Podujevo. The advance was hampered by the strong German resistance and the onset of Winter, but the Bulgarians managed to capture Pristina on 19 November and enter Kosovo with their main forces. The Germans now retreated and were pursued by the Second Army which reached the Rashka – Novi Pazar line by the end of the month. This